In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect devices participating in a conference; monitor the devices for an attribute corresponding to an attention level of each of the devices; and determine whether each device is active based on the attention level.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method comprising: detecting, by a server, devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented content conveyed over a network during the conference; monitoring each of the devices for presence of an audio signal originating from any one of the devices and sent to other devices during the conference that represents a voice transmission from a user of the device at which the audio signal originated; recording a representation of the audio signal from the devices as audio content of the conference; recording timestamps indicative of respective times at which the presence of the audio signal is detected and at which absence of the audio signal is detected; determining a level of attention to the conference of the user of each device from a measure of the presence and the absence of the audio signal; determining an activity status of each device with respect to participating in the conference based on a comparison of the attention level of the user of the device with a predetermined threshold; and displaying an indication of the activity status of each device in association with any corresponding timestamps.
A server monitors devices participating in a conference where content is shared over a network. The server detects audio signals (voice transmissions from users) originating from these devices. The audio is recorded with timestamps indicating when the audio signal starts and stops. The server determines each user's attention level based on the presence and absence of their audio signal (speaking or not speaking). Based on this attention level, an activity status (active/inactive) is determined for each device by comparing the attention level to a threshold. The activity status and corresponding timestamps are then displayed.
2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising storing the attention level of the user of each device within a record associated with each device.
Building upon the method described, the attention level of each user is stored in a record associated with that user's device. So, in addition to detecting, by a server, devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented content conveyed over a network during the conference; monitoring each of the devices for presence of an audio signal originating from any one of the devices and sent to other devices during the conference that represents a voice transmission from a user of the device at which the audio signal originated; recording a representation of the audio signal from the devices as audio content of the conference; recording timestamps indicative of respective times at which the presence of the audio signal is detected and at which absence of the audio signal is detected; determining a level of attention to the conference of the user of each device from a measure of the presence and the absence of the audio signal; determining an activity status of each device with respect to participating in the conference based on a comparison of the attention level of the user of the device with a predetermined threshold; and displaying an indication of the activity status of each device in association with any corresponding timestamps, the attention level is stored.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the attention level is based on a frequency of the presence and absence of the audio signal representing the voice transmission.
As part of determining a user's attention level based on their audio signal as described, the attention level is specifically calculated based on how frequently the user's voice is present or absent (i.e., how often they are speaking versus silent). So, in addition to detecting, by a server, devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented content conveyed over a network during the conference; monitoring each of the devices for presence of an audio signal originating from any one of the devices and sent to other devices during the conference that represents a voice transmission from a user of the device at which the audio signal originated; recording a representation of the audio signal from the devices as audio content of the conference; recording timestamps indicative of respective times at which the presence of the audio signal is detected and at which absence of the audio signal is detected; determining a level of attention to the conference of the user of each device from a measure of the presence and the absence of the audio signal; determining an activity status of each device with respect to participating in the conference based on a comparison of the attention level of the user of the device with a predetermined threshold; and displaying an indication of the activity status of each device in association with any corresponding timestamps, the attention level relies on frequency of audio signal presence and absence.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the attention level is based on a duration of the presence of the audio signal representing the voice transmission.
As part of determining a user's attention level based on their audio signal, the attention level is specifically calculated based on the length of time a user's voice is present (i.e., how long they are speaking). So, in addition to detecting, by a server, devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented content conveyed over a network during the conference; monitoring each of the devices for presence of an audio signal originating from any one of the devices and sent to other devices during the conference that represents a voice transmission from a user of the device at which the audio signal originated; recording a representation of the audio signal from the devices as audio content of the conference; recording timestamps indicative of respective times at which the presence of the audio signal is detected and at which absence of the audio signal is detected; determining a level of attention to the conference of the user of each device from a measure of the presence and the absence of the audio signal; determining an activity status of each device with respect to participating in the conference based on a comparison of the attention level of the user of the device with a predetermined threshold; and displaying an indication of the activity status of each device in association with any corresponding timestamps, the attention level relies on duration of audio signal presence.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the attention level of the user further comprises determining the attention level of the user from at least one other attribute that indicates the attention level of the user of the device in addition to the presence and absence of the audio signal.
Beyond the presence and absence of the audio signal, determining a user's attention level incorporates other factors that indicate the user's engagement during the conference. So, in addition to detecting, by a server, devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented content conveyed over a network during the conference; monitoring each of the devices for presence of an audio signal originating from any one of the devices and sent to other devices during the conference that represents a voice transmission from a user of the device at which the audio signal originated; recording a representation of the audio signal from the devices as audio content of the conference; recording timestamps indicative of respective times at which the presence of the audio signal is detected and at which absence of the audio signal is detected; determining a level of attention to the conference of the user of each device from a measure of the presence and the absence of the audio signal; determining an activity status of each device with respect to participating in the conference based on a comparison of the attention level of the user of the device with a predetermined threshold; and displaying an indication of the activity status of each device in association with any corresponding timestamps, the attention level also relies on other attributes beyond voice presence and absence.
6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising: generating a score descriptive of the attention level of the user of the device from the at least one other attribute and the presence and absence of the audio signal; and determining the activity status of the device from the score.
A score representing a user's attention level is generated by considering both the presence/absence of their audio signal and other factors indicating their engagement. A device's activity status (active/inactive) is then determined based on this attention score. So, in addition to detecting, by a server, devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented content conveyed over a network during the conference; monitoring each of the devices for presence of an audio signal originating from any one of the devices and sent to other devices during the conference that represents a voice transmission from a user of the device at which the audio signal originated; recording a representation of the audio signal from the devices as audio content of the conference; recording timestamps indicative of respective times at which the presence of the audio signal is detected and at which absence of the audio signal is detected; determining a level of attention to the conference of the user of each device from a measure of the presence and the absence of the audio signal, in addition to at least one other attribute that indicates the attention level of the user of the device; determining an activity status of each device with respect to participating in the conference based on a comparison of the attention level of the user of the device with a predetermined threshold; and displaying an indication of the activity status of each device in association with any corresponding timestamps, the activity status relies on the score.
7. A system, comprising: a processor; a storage device to store recorded audio content of a conference; and a tangible, non-transient computer readable medium having instructions stored therein that when executed by the processor, activate the processor to: store a record containing an attention attribute associated with a device participating in the conference and indicating a level of attention to the conference by the user of the device, detect an audio signal originating from the device and sent over the network during the conference, the audio signal representing a voice transmission from the user of the device at which the audio signal originated, wherein presence and absence of the audio signal contributes to the attention attribute, record a timestamp associated with the attention attribute upon detection of the audio signal, generate a score indicating an activity status of the device based on the attention attribute, and display a graphical time chart of the conference along with any timestamps previously recorded.
A system monitors conference participant attention by storing recorded conference audio. The system stores an "attention attribute" for each device, indicating user attention. It detects audio signals (voice) from devices, where the presence/absence of this audio contributes to the attention attribute. Timestamps are recorded when audio is detected. An activity score is generated based on the attention attribute. Finally, the system displays a time chart of the conference with the recorded timestamps.
8. The system according to claim 7 wherein the storage module is configured to store the score for the device.
As part of the system that stores recorded audio content of a conference; and includes instructions to store a record containing an attention attribute associated with a device participating in the conference and indicating a level of attention to the conference by the user of the device, detect an audio signal originating from the device and sent over the network during the conference, the audio signal representing a voice transmission from the user of the device at which the audio signal originated, wherein presence and absence of the audio signal contributes to the attention attribute, record a timestamp associated with the attention attribute upon detection of the audio signal, generate a score indicating an activity status of the device based on the attention attribute, and display a graphical time chart of the conference along with any timestamps previously recorded, the system is configured to store the device's activity score as well.
9. The system according to claim 7 wherein the interface detection module is further configured to detect the audio signal representing the voice transmission using an input to the device during the conference.
In the system described for monitoring conference participant attention, the audio signal detection mechanism uses an input to the device during the conference (e.g., microphone input) to detect the user's voice transmission. So, in addition to a system that stores recorded audio content of a conference; and includes instructions to store a record containing an attention attribute associated with a device participating in the conference and indicating a level of attention to the conference by the user of the device, detect an audio signal originating from the device and sent over the network during the conference, the audio signal representing a voice transmission from the user of the device at which the audio signal originated, wherein presence and absence of the audio signal contributes to the attention attribute, record a timestamp associated with the attention attribute upon detection of the audio signal, generate a score indicating an activity status of the device based on the attention attribute, and display a graphical time chart of the conference along with any timestamps previously recorded, the audio signal is detected using device input.
10. The system according to claim 7 further comprising a duration module configured to detect a duration over which the audio signal representing the voice transmission is present.
The system designed to monitor conference participant attention includes a module to specifically detect the duration (length of time) that a user's voice is present during the conference. So, in addition to a system that stores recorded audio content of a conference; and includes instructions to store a record containing an attention attribute associated with a device participating in the conference and indicating a level of attention to the conference by the user of the device, detect an audio signal originating from the device and sent over the network during the conference, the audio signal representing a voice transmission from the user of the device at which the audio signal originated, wherein presence and absence of the audio signal contributes to the attention attribute, record a timestamp associated with the attention attribute upon detection of the audio signal, generate a score indicating an activity status of the device based on the attention attribute, and display a graphical time chart of the conference along with any timestamps previously recorded, a duration module is configured to detect the audio signal's length.
11. A system comprising: a processor; and a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, configures the processor to: store recorded audio content of a conference; detect devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented the content over a network during the conference; monitor each of the devices for an audio signal originating therefrom and sent to other devices during the conference, the audio signal representing a voice transmission from a user of a contributing device, presence of the audio signal contributing to an attention level of the user that indicates attention to the content presented during the conference; record a timestamp of the audio signal; determine whether each device is active based on a comparison of a measure of the attention level of the user thereof with a predetermined threshold; and display an indication of whether each device is active along with any corresponding indications of timestamps.
A system monitors attention in a conference by storing recorded audio, detecting devices participating and monitoring their audio signals (voice). The presence of a user's voice contributes to their attention level, indicating engagement. Timestamps of the audio signal are recorded. The system determines if a device is active by comparing the attention level to a threshold, and displays an indication of activity alongside corresponding timestamps.
12. The system according to claim 11 wherein the instructions include instructions that when executed by the processor, implement a scoring module configured to weigh a plurality of attributes that contribute to the attention level of the user.
The system described for monitoring conference attention uses a scoring module to weight multiple factors that contribute to a user's attention level (beyond just audio presence). So, in addition to a system that stores recorded audio content of a conference; detecting devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented the content over a network during the conference; monitoring each of the devices for an audio signal originating therefrom and sent to other devices during the conference, the audio signal representing a voice transmission from a user of a contributing device, presence of the audio signal contributing to an attention level of the user that indicates attention to the content presented during the conference; recording a timestamp of the audio signal; determining whether each device is active based on a comparison of a measure of the attention level of the user thereof with a predetermined threshold; and displaying an indication of whether each device is active along with any corresponding indications of timestamps, a scoring module weights the attributes that contribute to the attention level.
13. The system according to claim 11 wherein the instructions include instructions that when executed by the processor, implement a comparing module configured to compare the measure of the attention level with the predetermined threshold.
The system described for monitoring conference attention employs a comparing module to compare the calculated attention level of a user with a pre-defined threshold, to determine activity status. So, in addition to a system that stores recorded audio content of a conference; detecting devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented the content over a network during the conference; monitoring each of the devices for an audio signal originating therefrom and sent to other devices during the conference, the audio signal representing a voice transmission from a user of a contributing device, presence of the audio signal contributing to an attention level of the user that indicates attention to the content presented during the conference; recording a timestamp of the audio signal; determining whether each device is active based on a comparison of a measure of the attention level of the user thereof with a predetermined threshold; and displaying an indication of whether each device is active along with any corresponding indications of timestamps, a comparing module compares attention level to a threshold.
14. The system according to claim 7 wherein the interface detection module is further configured to detect the frequency of the audio signal representing the voice transmission.
In the attention monitoring system described, the audio signal detection module is also configured to detect the frequency of the user's voice during the conference. So, in addition to a system that stores recorded audio content of a conference; and includes instructions to store a record containing an attention attribute associated with a device participating in the conference and indicating a level of attention to the conference by the user of the device, detect an audio signal originating from the device and sent over the network during the conference, the audio signal representing a voice transmission from the user of the device at which the audio signal originated, wherein presence and absence of the audio signal contributes to the attention attribute, record a timestamp associated with the attention attribute upon detection of the audio signal, generate a score indicating an activity status of the device based on the attention attribute, and display a graphical time chart of the conference along with any timestamps previously recorded, the audio detection module detects voice frequency.
15. The system according to claim 11 wherein the instructions for monitoring the voice transmission include instructions that when executed by the processor, configures the processor to capture the audio signal representing the voice transmission from each device during the conference.
Within the system that monitors conference attention, the instructions for monitoring voice transmission involve capturing the audio signal (user's voice) from each device during the conference. So, in addition to a system that stores recorded audio content of a conference; detecting devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented the content over a network during the conference; monitoring each of the devices for an audio signal originating therefrom and sent to other devices during the conference, the audio signal representing a voice transmission from a user of a contributing device, presence of the audio signal contributing to an attention level of the user that indicates attention to the content presented during the conference; recording a timestamp of the audio signal; determining whether each device is active based on a comparison of a measure of the attention level of the user thereof with a predetermined threshold; and displaying an indication of whether each device is active along with any corresponding indications of timestamps, the voice transmission monitoring includes capturing the audio signal.
16. The system according to claim 15 wherein the attention level is based on a frequency of capture of the audio signal representing the voice transmission from the contributing device during the conference.
In the system that captures the audio signal from each device to monitor conference attention, the attention level is determined based on how frequently the audio signal (user's voice) is captured during the conference. So, in addition to a system that stores recorded audio content of a conference; detecting devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented the content over a network during the conference; monitoring each of the devices for an audio signal originating therefrom and sent to other devices during the conference, the audio signal representing a voice transmission from a user of a contributing device, presence of the audio signal contributing to an attention level of the user that indicates attention to the content presented during the conference; recording a timestamp of the audio signal; determining whether each device is active based on a comparison of a measure of the attention level of the user thereof with a predetermined threshold; and displaying an indication of whether each device is active along with any corresponding indications of timestamps, the attention level relies on frequency of captured audio.
17. The system according to claim 15 wherein the attention level is based on a duration of capture of the audio signal representing the voice transmission from the contributing device during the conference.
Within the system capturing audio to monitor conference attention, the user's attention level is determined based on how long the audio signal (user's voice) is captured during the conference. So, in addition to a system that stores recorded audio content of a conference; detecting devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented the content over a network during the conference; monitoring each of the devices for an audio signal originating therefrom and sent to other devices during the conference, the audio signal representing a voice transmission from a user of a contributing device, presence of the audio signal contributing to an attention level of the user that indicates attention to the content presented during the conference; recording a timestamp of the audio signal; determining whether each device is active based on a comparison of a measure of the attention level of the user thereof with a predetermined threshold; and displaying an indication of whether each device is active along with any corresponding indications of timestamps, the attention level relies on duration of captured audio.
18. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: determining whether each device is inactive based on a comparison of the attention level with the predetermined threshold; and sending a notification to a device presenting the content during the conference in response to determining that the device is inactive.
Building on the method of determining activity status via voice monitoring, if a device is determined to be inactive (attention level below threshold), a notification is sent to the device presenting the conference content. So, in addition to detecting, by a server, devices participating in a conference, wherein the devices are presented content conveyed over a network during the conference; monitoring each of the devices for presence of an audio signal originating from any one of the devices and sent to other devices during the conference that represents a voice transmission from a user of the device at which the audio signal originated; recording a representation of the audio signal from the devices as audio content of the conference; recording timestamps indicative of respective times at which the presence of the audio signal is detected and at which absence of the audio signal is detected; determining a level of attention to the conference of the user of each device from a measure of the presence and the absence of the audio signal; determining an activity status of each device with respect to participating in the conference based on a comparison of the attention level of the user of the device with a predetermined threshold; and displaying an indication of the activity status of each device in association with any corresponding timestamps, the method now sends a notification if inactive.
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January 25, 2007
August 20, 2013
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